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Winter Solstice sunrise at Newgrange

In 2004 the actual winter solstice fell on 21 December, however the sunrise illuminates the passage and chamber at Newgrange for a few days around the actual solstice date. The weather forecast was promising for Sunday the 19th, so I joined a small group at the entrance to the mound and was duly rewarded with a beautiful sunrise.

Early winter solstice sunlight beginning to illuminate the white quartz facade of Newgrange. Sunlight beginning to illuminate the white quartz front of Newgrange at 9:02am.
Newgrange entrance and quartz wall fully lit by bright winter solstice sunshine. Newgrange entrance fully illuminated by glorious rays of sunshine at 9:15am.
Shaft of winter solstice sunlight in the Newgrange passage, viewed from the entrance. Sunlight in the passage at Newgrange, viewed from the entrance.
Winter solstice sun rising behind a standing stone, viewed from the Newgrange entrance. Sunrise over a standing stone, viewed from the entrance of Newgrange.
Lottery ticket holders leaving the Newgrange chamber after the winter solstice sunrise. The lucky people selected by lottery leaving the chamber at 9:22am.

Newgrange Winter Solstice Archive

Newgrange entrance and roof-box with lozenge carvings on the lintel as a shaft of sunlight enters the dark passage. The entrance and roof-box at Newgrange.

Newgrange Winter Solstice: National Monuments Service.

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